Adult Protective Services

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We wish all seniors and caregivers a “Spirit of Life”
full of respect, dignity, love, and joy.

   

*Adult Protective Services*

Adult Abuse

The elderly population is the fastest growing segment of our society.

The hidden problem of adult abuse is on the rise as elders are living longer and requiring more care from others.

Adults often suffer humiliation and embarrassment whenever they are abused, neglected or exploited.

Facts

  • Over 77% of all APS investigations received included allegations of suspected neglect. 16% of the reports received contained allegations of abuse, while 15% of the reports received included allegations of financial exploitation.

  • Although adult abuse usually occurs in a family setting, health care or social service providers may abuse those in their care.

  • Adult abuse can occur in all racial and ethnic groups, and among families in all income levels.

  • Regardless of age or ability, each individual deserves to be safe from harm by those who come in contact with them on a regular basis.

  • Adult Abuse is the infliction of physical pain, injury or the willful deprivation by a caregiver or other person of services necessary to maintain mental and physical health.

  • Adult Neglect is the failure of a caregiver to provide food, shelter, clothing, medical services and health care for the person unable to care for himself; or the failure of the person to provide these basic needs for himself when the failure is the result of the person’s mental or physical inability.

  • Adult Exploitation is the expenditure, diminution or use of the property, assets or resources of a person subject to protection under the provision of the sate they live in, without their express voluntary consent of that person or his legally authorized representative. 

  • Sexual Abuse is any conduct that is a crime as defined in each State's code.Forms of sexual abuse include rape, incest, sodomy, and indecent exposure.

  • Emotional Abuse is the willful or reckless infliction of emotional or mental anguish or the use of a physical or chemical restraint, medication or isolation as punishment or as a substitute for treatment or care of any protected person.

Signs by Caregiver

  • Prevents elder from speaking to or seeing visitors

  • Anger, indifference, aggressive behavior toward elder

  • History of substance abuse, mental illness, criminal behavior, or family violence

  • Lack of affection toward elder

  • Flirtation or coyness as possible indicator of inappropriate sexual relationship

  • Conflicting accounts of incidents

  • Withholds affection

  • Talks of elder as a burden

An Adult in Need of Protective Services (APS)  is a person 18 years of age or older:

  • Whose behavior indicates that he/she is mentally incapable of adequately caring for himself/herself and his/her interests without serious consequences to himself/herself or others.
  • One who, because of physical or mental impairment, is unable to protect himself/herself from abuse, neglect, exploitation, sexual abuse, or emotional abuse by others.
  • One who has no guardian, relative or other appropriate person able, willing, and available to assume the kind and degree of protection and supervision required under the circumstances.

http://www.ag.ca.gov/bmfea/pdfs/citizens_guide.pdf








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